§ Mr. Mitchisonasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that there has been correspondence since May, 1952, between his Blackpool and Nottingham offices and the parent, a war widow, with regard to the continuance of education grant number W3/29963 and that the parent, having submitted forms MPB 532 and MPJ 105A, has now added thereto similar information on form MPB 541; and whether he will review the multiplicity of his forms and continue the grant.
Mr. AmoryIn May, 1952, the widow was receiving from my Department £60 a year for fees and £8 a year for expenses in respect of her son's education, in addition to the normal child's allowance paid with her pension. Particulars on forms MPB 532 and MPJ 105A, which she completed in September, were required for the purpose of a review of the grant of education expenses, the rate of which has been raised from £8 to £20 a year for the autumn term.
On 17th November she was asked to complete MPB 541, the purpose of which was to confirm that her son would be continuing his education after 3rd January, 1953, his 16th birthday, at which time a child's allowance normally terminates. The completed form was received on 24th November and this enables me 128W to continue the child's allowance and the education allowances up to the end of the summer term, 1953.
I am always anxious to simplify and reduce the number of forms and I will see whether anything further can be done in connection with these particular forms.